"You'd do that… for me?" Hinata asked, voice shaky and almost inaudible.

"The plan is simple," Sasuke said. It really was: Teleport into the archive, find what he needed to deal with her subconscious, and leave.

"But…" She swallowed. "If someone finds out…"

Well, if somebody were to find out, it wouldn't look good. Sasuke kept his face neutral. "Nobody will."

"It's not right. I-I don't want you to risk so much."

"It's on me to decide that," Sasuke said. Was she worried—for him? "It's the only way. Told you I wanted to atone." This was only half true. He had wanted to atone, but the reason to continue doing all this might have been different. Personal.

Hinata nodded hesitantly. "I'm not sure it's worth—"

"It is worth it," he blurted out.

She stared at him with her mouth open before a soft smile rose on her lips. "That's very… kind of you."

"Me–kind? Are you aware who you're talking to?" Sasuke snorted, a smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. "Maybe you've forgotten the things that I've done already, Hyuga? Because you might not need me to help you with forgetting."

"I remember." Her quiet giggle tickled his ears, surprising him once again. He wasn't used to making anybody laugh, especially a woman as broken as Hinata. A woman who wanted him to delete her memory of her cousin dying for her. Her laughter got louder until she covered her mouth with both hands. At least she wasn't worrying anymore. Determination flickered in her light eyes. "We all make mistakes. And… I would like to come with you."

Sasuke shook his head. "I don't need help."

"I know." Hinata lowered her chin, hands clasping. "It's just… it wouldn't be fair for you to do it alone."

Sasuke squinted at the way her eyebrows drew together in disappointment. Her ability to track everybody nearby could be helpful. What would it change to take her with him? He could teleport both into it and was strong enough to keep the situation in control. "Fine. You can join."

Hinata blinked as a smile enlightened her whole face again. Again… that hope. It had led to them standing there in the first place. Two strangers, this was all they were in the end. Though, the parallels between them—their clans, their brothers—increased a particular understanding.

Is this the right way, brother?

"Sasuke?" Hinata asked quietly as if she could sense his doubts.

"You can help with the lookout." Turning his head away, he released a sigh. "We'll meet at my place. Same time as last time."

"All right." She bowed, taking some steps back. "Thank you. For everything… and your trust." She peered at him from the corner of her thick, dark lashes. "And I trust you too."

He nodded slowly. Trust. Something inside of him wished to take his promises back. But the image of Hinata on the battlefield flashed before his eyes. That way, the tears had been running down her face. Her desperate sobbing…

Damn.

Sasuke quickly said goodbye, tearing his gaze from her. With quick steps, he marched toward his apartment. The decision stands. They would find the solution in the archives tonight. If it was her wish and made it easier for her, who was he to judge?

However, he needed time to think it all through and do research. Doing it right away wasn't the smartest move; now he had to finish the mission quickly. At least he had some time to think it through.

For a second, Naruto's voice rang in his ear. "You can talk to me about it, ya know."

Could Naruto grasp what it meant? To lose a brother? To want to forget? Sasuke ground his teeth. Naruto wanted to become Hokage, and there was no way Sasuke would take away this dream from him by including him in their task and risking all that.

Only some meters before reaching his apartment complex, Sasuke caught sight of a different blond head, not less annoying, though.

"Sasuke!" Ino waved at him.

Not now. Keeping his pace, he nodded in greeting and continued to march home.

"Hold up!" Ino shouted, her footsteps echoing behind him. "Hey!"

Suppressing a groan, Sasuke halted. "What do you want?"

"We need to talk."

"Now?" No, he did not need to talk. He needed time alone to think everything through before his and Hinata's mission. However, the Yamanaka would surely continue to pester him. "Can't it wait until tomorrow?"

"No, it can't."

Sasuke sighed. "What is it?"

"Well, earlier, when you two were at my shop, I noticed that you were being all secretive about seeing Hinata. I understand that you might be cautious about her father—or clan—finding out, but you don't have to hide it from me, you know. I won't tell. Actually, I'm happy for you. It's great you two are dating, really, and I—"

"We're not."

"Mhm. Is that so? Oh, cut the act." Ino laughed first, but then a scowl flashed on her face. "You're really telling me you're not secretly meeting?"

Could the Yamanaka read thoughts? "No."

Ino's lips twitched. "And when I saw Hinata in your T-shirt in the morning in a cafe, that was… a genjutsu?"

Shit. She had seen them. How foolish of him to make such a mistake. Being with Hinata in public would get both of them into trouble—evoke rumors, lead to questions—he had known that. However, he couldn't do anything else. He had hurt Hinata. Unintentionally, but still. He couldn't just leave her like that.

Ino narrowed her eyes. "You were eating breakfast and smiling like—"

"It's not what you think."

"Ah, really? What's that supposed to mean? Do you mean you're not serious about it? Don't you dare to play with her!" Ino huffed. "If you want to hurt her, let me tell you that I will clap your—"

"I won't hurt her." As soon as he said it, the absurdity of his own claim occurred to him. In fact, he had just hurt Hinata the other day by bringing her to the battlefield. Sasuke clenched his teeth so tightly they hurt. "I won't." Not again.

"Hm. Good." Ino placed her hands on her hips. "You gotta be careful. The last months were tough on all of us but especially for her." For a fraction of a second, he thought to see tears before they disappeared in a blink. "It's good that you understand her because love—"

Sasuke groaned. "We are not together."

"You're not? So you and Hinata—are just friends?"

Friends? No, they were mere acquaintances. Hinata wanted his help because he was the only one to ask. They saw each other sometimes and talked about their brothers and–– Sasuke cocked his head. "Why do you care?"

"What?!" Ino's mouth dropped, face suddenly reddening as it contorted in a scowl. "I'm just concerned for—"

"For who?" he snapped.

"Well… for her… you… and Naruto too and—"

"Naruto? Why?"

Ino shot him a long silent glare before crossing her arms in front of her chest. "You know what? None of my business. Aaanyway, there's something else I'd like to ask you."

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. What else?

"Since you seem to really want to make it right and atone, have you considered taking a job?"

"A job?" Sasuke snorted, turning away to walk off. This village couldn't offer anything to him. Well, right now, he stayed to help a grieving woman get rid of her trauma. To think a job could make him stay was absurd. Sasuke mustered Ino carefully. She looked sincere but must have been out of her mind to think he would work in the flower shop. Even the thought of him standing behind the counter handing Hinata her bouquet. Maybe that way, he would find out what flowers she would always choose. Sasuke halted. Why was he even picturing that?

"Yeah, I mean, I'm always looking for competent people. After the war, I became head." Ino turned away, fixing her gaze on a point in the distance. "Anyway, we could use your talents at the interrogation unit."

Sasuke froze. "The interrogation unit?"

"Yeah. Interested?"

Being on the inside would make his mission way easier. Unaware that Ino was head of the unit, he hadn't considered that getting the knowledge from the inside might prove easier. Of course, the village would want him to stay. But then he thought of Hinata and how that opportunity would prove useful. "What would that ensue?"

Ino shrugged. "There's a short introduction period. So, the usual tests. We do some inner exams against traitors, but… well, Naruto said you're totally on our side."

"Exams?" Sasuke clenched his jaw at the notion.

"Ah, just a quick routine walk-through. Checks for malicious intent and so forth."

A mind inspection? Of course, the interrogation unit would ensure that everybody working for them would be trustworthy. Would he manage to conceal his mind effectively against the interrogation techniques? His plan on helping Hinata with erasing her memories? He couldn't risk it. "I already expressed my objectives. I will leave soon."

"If you say so," Ino said. "Well, you can still reconsider, right? It's all about the intent." Her finger pointed at her temple. "You could stay here and keep seeing a certain Hyuga if you get what I mean." She winked at him and grinned. "Hinata did look good in your shirt, didn't she? And she's a nice girl too. I almost feel a bit sorry that she was the only one who has never been interested in you. I might help you out with winning her over. You two look so cute together."

Sasuke's frown deepened. When would that annoying woman leave?

"Come on, no need to put on that sour face again. Let me know if you change your mind or need any advice. See ya!" She finally ran off.

After unlocking his door, Sasuke sluggishly entered his apartment. Would the Yamanaka approach Hinata next and embarrass her again? He didn't want her to act tense around him. She seemed to be one of the few to behave normally around him. Sure, she was calm, but that wasn't an issue.

Besides her request, Hinata and he would not have any reason to talk. Their interactions all had one purpose. After that, she would never approach him again.

Focus on the mission. Right. It might be the first part of his atonement. Do something that wouldn't involve revenge, violence, or hate.

A pounding shook his door, interrupting his train of thought.

Not now. He just couldn't handle another blond loudmouth.

"Open up! I know you're here." Naruto's loud voice echoed from outside his apartment, the hammering on his door picking up the pace. For a moment, Sasuke wondered whether he should just teleport out of his flat, but then the door sprung open. "Where are you—? Hey!"

"Naruto," Sasuke growled. "We agreed you wouldn't barge in."

"Yeah, but I was really worried!" Naruto huffed, stomping over to Sasuke to poke his shoulder. "You missed training!"

Their regular training. It had slipped out of his mind. "I forgot. Sorry," Sasuke said.

"Y-Y-You what? You forgot?" Naruto gasped, blond brows furrowing. "What's up with you? You never forget anything."

Sasuke groaned. Indeed, that was correct, but somehow the last few days, his thoughts might have been clouded.

"Are you eating enough?" Naruto pointed his finger at Sasuke's stomach.

"What?"

"Well, usually we train, you do… your stuff… and then we meet again for dinner. But you seem so absent the last few days. And you know we don't want you to be all skinny and miserable again."

Sasuke scoffed. "I wasn't skinny."

"If you say so. Anyway, munching comfort food helped you back then, and you know it." Naruto chuckled, slapping him on the back.

"I was just busy," Sasuke said. Maybe that simple excuse would make Naruto stop probing for answers.

"Busy with what?"

"Nothing in particular."

"That means… you were brooding?" Naruto pouted. "Maaan. All right, all right. Boundaries––I know. I will leave it at that, but I'll be on your back if Sakura notices you losing weight again."

"Whatever." Sasuke shrugged his shoulders. It had taken him some time to feel hunger again after the war, but he hadn't realized why Naruto had forced him to Ichiraku's almost every night.

Blue eyes wandered across the apartment. "I'm gonna talk to Kakashi about it again, okay?"

Sasuke cocked his head and took some seconds to understand. All those things Naruto would do for him. But leaving for atonement… As long as he had a task here, it didn't matter right now. "Hm. It's… I'm okay. Don't bother."

"Huh, really now?"

"He said it won't take long anyway."

"Oh! Awesome!" Naruto smiled as if somebody had just gifted him free ramen for a year. "So you're gonna stick around for a while, huh? Did you talk to Sakura again?"

This will be a long talk. Sasuke silently gestured at the empty seat at the table.

"Nah, sorry, can't stay. I just had to check on you. Gotta run. You know… Lots of things to do as"––Naruto cocked his head playfully, rubbing the back of his neck––"Hokage apprentice."

Sasuke smirked. "Konoha's doomed."

A wide grin stretched Naruto's whiskered face. "Yeah yeah, guess so. So, can I leave you alone, or do I need to find a babysitter?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes only to be met with barking laughter.

When Naruto left, Sasuke shot a glance at the clock—just some hours left. A yawn escaped his mouth. Pinching the bridge of his nose, Sasuke leaned down on the table, urging himself to think. Concentrate.

Planning a mission like that was nothing new, and his Rinnegan allowed him even more ways to proceed. The only obstacles would be posed by guards and traps. Most likely a combination of the two. And it would be challenging to look after a comrade on this mission.

He had never worked with Hinata before.

What a stupid idea to begin with.

A quiet knock on his door woke him up from a dreamless slumber.

Fuck. He had fallen asleep. And now the Yamanaka was back to annoy him. He stomped across his living room.

Cursing under his breath, he tore the door open with more force than intended. "What is it again?!"

He was met by Hinata peering at him with wide eyes. "I-I'm sorry. I can come back later if you—"

"No," Sasuke said, running his hand through his hair. "I didn't expect you so early." The cold breeze on his skin reminded him that it wasn't that early. "Fell asleep."

"Ah. I see." Pink full lips formed a polite smile, but she looked paler than usual. Did she sleep at all? Something inside of him hoped that the rational part of her had decided to abandon their mission. He should have given them more time to prepare.

"Oh." Hinata opened the bag that had dangled on her shoulder. "I wanted to give you back this." Her long fingers clenched around a neatly folded black t-shirt, the Uchiha crest on the back now visible right on top. That shirt… When he didn't move right away, Hinata rocked on her toes. "Uh. I-I washed it, of course. Thank you very much for borrowing."

"It's fine," he said, reaching out to take the shirt.

"Hinata did look good in your shirt, didn't she?" Ino's voice tingled in his ear. Hinata's long dark hair had framed the corner of the Uchiha emblem… It had been strange to see anybody with the Uchiha crest on their clothes. He had thought it would enrage him but instead…

His fingers accidentally brushed over hers. Instantly, a shiver ran across his skin, sending a warm wave through his body. What––

Hinata quickly withdrew her hand, leaving an icy sensation on his skin.

He turned away and walked into his apartment again. "Come in."

The quiet sound of Hinata unclasping her sandals calmed him a little bit. He sat down on the floor and waited for her to follow.

"Um, Sasuke"? Hinata placed a small bento box on the table, lifting the lid to expose various onigiri. "I thought… maybe you were hungry."

"Are you implying"—Sasuke stared at the food, then at her, narrowing his eyes when her fingers started pointing together—"that I'm skinny?"

"Eh?" She looked at his chest, her glance wandering up and down for some seconds. Her cheeks reddened. "No, Sasuke, you…"

Sasuke tsked. "You think I'm not fit for the mission?"

"No! Of course, I think you are." Hinata shook her head, averting her glance. "You look… good. I just thought maybe you were busy and forgot to––"

"It was a joke." Sasuke leaned forward and grabbed a riceball. "Thanks."

He wondered what looking good even meant. Was she being honest or nice? He bit into the morsel, feeling his mood lightening up.

"Did you eat?"

"Hm?" Her lips parted, and she blinked. "I'm not hungry."

Sasuke continued chewing, resting his gaze on her. The food tasted too good, the rice still warm and soft and inside of it—"That filling... What's in it?" Sasuke turned the riceball in his hand.

"Salmon and a mixture of tomatoes and spring onions with soy sauce."

Tomatoes? An invisible weight fell on his shoulders. There weren't many people who knew about his favorite food. "Did you talk to Naruto about me?"

"Hm? No, I didn't."

Liar. "How could you know that I like tomatoes then?"

Hinata's eyebrows rose. "I-I didn't know. I'm sorry. This is just the way my brother liked it."

Neji. Sasuke felt another shiver on his skin. Hinata's life circled around her brother––on a hurtful loop, it seemed. Suddenly he felt like a huge asshole. Unconsciously, he stepped into those pits repeatedly, reminding her of her brother and causing more pain.

"Neji didn't like mayonnaise, so I added tomatoes to the filling." Tears shimmered at her lashes, but then she smiled a little bit. "I'm glad you like it too."

That smile—what does that mean? He decided to change the subject. "You added tomatoes? You cooked it?"

"Eh? Yes." Hinata's thin fingers traced over the wooden table. "Cooking was a hobby of mine… well, before the war. It was the first time I felt like trying it out again."

"Well, you're good at this. Maybe you should consider changing your profession then."

Her laughter got louder. "Mm. No, I don't think so. I like it but being a shinobi is my way right now. I've become stronger… managed to change… Though, still…"

He looked at her for some seconds. "You really ready for this?" This––Breaking the rules for erasing that one moment haunting her.

"I…" Hinata bit her lower lip. "I am."

Sasuke leaned back and looked up to his ceiling. "All right then." He pointed his chin at the food. "Eat."

"Hmm." She sighed and reached out hesitantly. "Okay."

While they ate, Sasuke explained the detailed plan. They would teleport to a place nearby the office; she would scan for any guards with her Byakugan. After that, they would enter the archives. With his Sharingan, it would only take seconds to memorize the contents of the needed scroll. They would leave no footprints and or take anything to remain undiscovered. While stating his plan, he realized how well their dojutsu would fit together in terms of abilities.

After a quick briefing, they got ready. Hinata stayed next to him, close enough that her scent filled his nose. It smelled familiar somehow—like flowers by the sea—and calming; he buried that thought. Concentrating still wasn't easy for him. It had been for months. Only slowly it got better. However, Sasuke wouldn't let this hinder him from completing his task. He clenched his jaw tightly as his Rinnegan opened a portal.

They traveled through it and landed on a roof nearby. Sasuke kneeled in front of Hinata, almost acting like a barrier since he suspected the interrogation team of deploying securing mechanism against eyes like the Hyuga.

"Stay behind me," he told Hinata.

"Right." She took another step toward him. To get instant help, she would need to stay close by so he could neutralize any obstacles. Hinata's eyes were able to penetrate walls kilometers away. Not bad.

The veins of her Byakugan spread around her temples again as she scanned for the office. Her thin finger quickly traced along his back to show where the guards were.

Hinata's warm breath stroked the back of his neck. Perhaps he had been too hasty. Perhaps they should have continued their mental exercises before breaking in. But today would help them with it and prevent hurting Hinata unconsciously.

"How many?" he asked quietly.

"Inside the archives––nobody. Outside, ten guards." Hinata's finger showed their positions, poking into his back. It was functional to communicate like that. Somehow he wished for her hand to remain on his back.

No one inside the room? That would be easier than expected. "Is there chakra near the room? Anything that could trigger a seal?"

"I don't think so."

"Right. Hide your chakra," Sasuke said, smirking as he sensed her chakra's invisible glow disappearing. Of course, a Hyuga knew how to do that. Maybe it wasn't bad to have her with him after all. Then he concealed his chakra too. The Sharingan would require some; he would infuse a minuscule amount into his eyes. Simultaneously she only needed some chakra for her Byakugan. "Good. I will teleport us in." He opened a portal to the archives and stepped in. Hinata followed him.

When they stepped out, the deadly silence of the room enclosed them. It was odd.

He glanced at Hinata, who shook her head, notifying him that there was nobody around them. What was the reason for that strange premonition?

Still silent, he pointed his finger at the shelves. As expected, everything was well-organized; he quickly found the directory. The scrolls on the topics were marked with "mind manipulation."

Hinata tiptoed behind him. They stopped at the shelf denoted by the directory. Sasuke reached down and skimmed through the backs of the scrolls.

After some minutes passed, he realized that there were far more scrolls than he had expected. A building headache fazed him, burning behind his forehead, sending electricity down his brain. The side effects of the lack of sleep? He stumbled for a second before gaining back control.

Doesn't matter. Finish the mission, and go.

Sasuke's eyes locked with Hinata's, signaling her to help him. Without any complaints, she joined him on his search. Sasuke quickly picked up scrolls and read through them, his Sharingan activated to memorize the contents. There was nothing particularly helpful, but he wondered why there were no traps or other measures for securing the archive.

Perhaps he really should reconsider that job offer at the integration office. "It's all about the intent," Ino had told him. Well, his intention wasn't––

"Sa-Sasuke." Hinata's whisper brought him out of his thoughts, head instantly snapping to look at her. She held a scroll in her trembling hands. "This is it but… I…"

Only now, he noticed a dark seal on her hands. A trap. He quickly looked down at his hand. Nothing. His skin remained clean. Why?

"It's all about the intent," Sasuke mumbled, recalling Ino's words.

The people working at the office wouldn't use the secret scrolls for themselves. Hinata, on the other hand––Her intent could be classified as selfish. And that was exactly what had triggered the trap.

"Give me the scroll." After appearing next to her, Sasuke snatched the scroll out of her hands, but the seal didn't vanish. Instead, it continued to grow. What now? How could they get rid of that seal? Quickly scanning through his knowledge of seals, he tried multiple combinations of hand signs against it but couldn't find anything to disperse that kind of seal. Every time he used chakra, his headache got worse and worse.

"Don't," Hinata said, and he froze. "I think there's a chakra jammer in this room that reacts to our chakra."

Sasuke nodded.

"And… dispersing it doesn't work like that. I know this seal." Hinata's eyes were wide, fixed on her hands. She was panting quietly, obviously in pain for using her Byakugan. "A tracking seal."

"What can we do?"

"It-It lets them track down the person it catches." She stared at him. "Anywhere. Anytime. Sasuke, take me out of the village."

"Where?"

"Just… away."

His left eye burned in the process of creating another portal. Gathering all his mental strength, he concentrated as the jammer seal penetrated his brain. A wind whirled around them before the surroundings changed. He wasn't even sure where they landed. When he felt the cold stone underneath his knees, the darkness enclosed him, and he fell...

"Please wake up... Wake up. You have to leave." He heard a soft whisper in his ear. "Leave, please. Leave."

Leave? It was just like the voice inside his mind, but this time he knew he didn't want to comply. He sensed the warmth and knew he didn't want to leave. Who is it?

He blinked, forcing his eyes open. That damned jammer still had its effects on his chakra network. Sasuke sat up, looking at the ceiling. The cold walls around him seemed like a cave where he once had been.

Hinata sat next to him, hugging her knees. She didn't look at him, and it made his heart punch against his ribcage.

Fuck. "Hinata? What––?" He gritted his teeth when another hit of electricity crashed through his chakra system. "Are you okay?"

"Sasuke… Are you all right?" Tears shimmered on her cheeks as she raised her sleeves. The seal had wandered up her arm, marking the pale skin in dark ink. It's spreading?! "Quick. You have to go, or they will find you too."

Go? "What the—"

"There's no other way," Hinata said. "It will kill me anyway, and they will track my body. You have to leave me."

Sommer: Usually, I don't speak much about the themes I'm including in my stories. But this time I'd like to say something because it's subtle (and I like subtle, but maybe it's not bad to explain it).

I think that it's important to remember the symptoms of depression. Depression can hit anyone, the symptoms are various. In this chapter (just like in the others) you can see symptoms of depression (concentration issues, loss of appetite, sleeping issues, no motivation to do things you used to enjoy). They can vary in degree and can be different for everybody. The chapter started so light because they help each other deal with it. Still, I want to point out how difficult depression can be spotted from the outside and even to the person who suffers from it. Please be kind to yourself and to others and keep an eye on your own mental health. Don't hesitate to ask for help.-

Thank you for all the nice comments; they really motivated me over the last weeks :) This chapter was a bit difficult to write. Maybe I got rusty? On a different note–– any guesses on who Sakura will be paired with :D?

I'm always happy to read your thoughts in the comments. Thank you for reading. Take care.